Sitting in his home at retirement village Eventide Homes, Mr Blake said he was getting a bit down after listening to another "darn" press conference.

"I decided we needed someone to lift us," he said.

"So I thought I would write a poem about coronavirus."

"The Coronavirus", what a cruel and horrible thing,

It's like winter all year around, not a hint of Spring,

We are letting it get to us, it's growing like a tumour,

I don't hear any singing, and we've lost our sense of humour.

No laughter is heard now, there's no cuddling or kissing,

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There is no doubt about it, the fruits of life are missing,

So let's do something about it, let's take it on the chin,

Do what the Minister tells us to do, then we'll surely win.

We will win this fight, and there will surely be a tomorrow,

Then we can start mending the hearts, that are so full of sorrow,

There will be music and laughter again, it'll be like a flag unfurled,

Not only in Australia, but all over the whole darn world."

READ MORE: Stawell's Harold Blake keeping high spirits after aged care facility Eventide Homes goes into lockdown

Mr Blake said he had heard another poem by Adam Lindsay Gordon "donkey's years ago" and he often quotes it when things are down.

"I thought the poem could come in handy now as well," he said.

"Life is mostly froth and bubble,

But two things stand like stone,

Kindness in another's troubles,

And courage in your own."

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